The Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), as part of the highlights of its third investiture anniversary on Tuesday, honoured exemplary Nigerians who have made significant contributions to public service delivery, humanitarian excellence, and those who sacrificed their lives for peace and a united Nigeria.
According to the Chairman of the association, Shola Akingboye, the award ceremony aligns with the association’s primary objective of fostering the developmental progress of the nation, providing guidance, and translating objectives, principles, and policies into tangible programs.
The event took place in the capital city of Abuja on Tuesday, and one of the key moments of the ceremony was the recognition of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most visionary public sector reformers.
Represented by the Director of Media at NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke, the citation emphasised her extensive reforms, which include:
– Clearing legacy backlogs
– Expanding the national identity database to 250 million records
– Deploying mobile enrollment devices nationwide
– Driving data harmonisation across over 20 federal agencies
– Introducing advanced verification systems and two-factor authentication
She was honoured for empowering millions through digital identity, enhancing national planning, and modernising Nigeria’s identity infrastructure.
Similarly, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni, received recognition for transformative leadership in national road safety administration.
As stated by the organisers, the Corps Marshal’s citation highlighted his:
– ISO 9001:2015 certification milestone
– Expansion of national rescue services
– Deployment of 36,000 personnel and 750 patrol vehicles
– Launch of FRSC Traffic Radio 107.1FM
– Technological enhancements in driver licensing and crash analytics
He was characterised as a “Guardian of Public Safety and a visionary whose mission is straightforward: A Nigeria where every journey concludes safely.”
Additionally, the award was conferred upon the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr. Issa-Onilu; the CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Chief Gbenga Komolafe; and the Nigerian fallen heroes, members of Nigeria’s armed forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice between 2010 and 2025. The heartfelt tribute to these fallen heroes received standing ovations as ACOE reaffirmed its dedication to national unity and remembrance.
In his welcome address, ACOE Chairman Akingboye posited that the ACOE Award is free and strictly by merit.
To our award recipients, “your accomplishments serve as a reminder of what can be achieved when passion aligns with professionalism. You motivate us all.”
“As we congratulate you on this award, we believe that it represents more than just a plaque; it should encourage you to continue the remarkable work that earned you this honour and inspire hope for a brighter future for our beloved country, Nigeria,” he advised.
He praised the members of ACOE for the challenging journey they embarked on together three years ago and for upholding the association’s core values of “Speed, Accuracy & Truth.” He remarked that, “today’s gathering is not merely ceremonial; it is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to excellence and professionalism in Nigeria’s corporate online media landscape.”
“To our members, I extend my congratulations. We commenced this journey together, we weathered storms together, and today we rise together. The obstacles we overcame—from registration challenges to organisational difficulties—have only fortified our foundation.
“Let us utilise today’s gathering to renew our commitment to ethical practices, embrace innovation, and collaborate to establish ACOE as a benchmark for others in this field. Together, we shall persist in enhancing our craft and making significant contributions to the advancement of our nation.
Our theme, “Strengthening Corporate Online Media for National Development,” encapsulates the core of our mission.
“Corporate online media must lead with professionalism, integrity, digital capability, and national accountability. This investiture signifies not only a celebration but also a renewed pledge to transform Nigeria’s digital information landscape,” he stated.
The event concluded with the cutting of the anniversary cake, group photographs, and networking among stakeholders.
